The Literacy Alarm: It's Everyone's Problem
http://www.impact-information.com/impactinfo/literacy.htm

DuBay, William H.
Impact Information
2004

Abstract:

Between 21 and 23 percent of Americans (40 million) are functioning at Level 1 literacy rating, defined simply as "not having adequate reading skills for daily life." The rate for California is 24 %, for Orange County, 20%. These are people who cannot read, must struggle to read, or cannot cope with unfamiliar or complex information.